The breeder of the last puppy I bought, (15 years ago), picked the puppy to go with the buyer, no exceptions at all. Ever. If you weren't happy with her choice, she would hand you your deposit amount back and ask you to leave, which she did to one couple...I wrote about it in another thread. She was a no nonsense woman, (kind of scared me at first ), and didn't take no's from her puppy buyers. You did it her way or you weren't even given a second look. But if you got a puppy from her, you were family.

I don't think I ever wasn't able to get a hold of her with questions or concerns. She was always available. Like Shalva said though, she made it clear to always call her first with any issues. I wouldn't want to think what she would do if one of her buyers consulted a board before her. Makes me nervous now, even all these years later, thinking about it. Just like the breeders on this thread/board, she knew what she was doing and no one knew her dogs and puppies better than she did...plus, she would always know what to do anyway.

I have always believed that if you trust a breeder enough to purchase a puppy from them, you should trust them enough to pick which puppy would be the best choice for you.

And a final peeve...people who get a dog from a breeder and come here to get advice or to complain and have not even gotten in touch with the breeder. I am always accessible via email...between my iPad and iPhone, I am easy to get in touch with... Facebook, not so much...

And this last time around, I was contacted by a couple older than myself, referred by the stud dog owner. They had bred Goldens years ago, and had gotten their last two from a well known and reputable breeder. They loved the pup I picked out for them and as the husband was holding her, surveying the whelping box and could see how the pups were raised, he said, "Thank you for raising your pups this way."

And a final peeve...people who get a dog from a breeder and come here to get advice or to complain and have not even gotten in touch with the breeder. I am always accessible via email...between my iPad and iPhone, I am easy to get in touch with... Facebook, not so much...

And this last time around, I was contacted by a couple older than myself, referred by the stud dog owner. They had bred Goldens years ago, and had gotten their last two from a well known and reputable breeder. They loved the pup I picked out for them and as the husband was holding her, surveying the whelping box and could see how the pups were raised, he said, "Thank you for raising your pups this way."

and to all the other wonderful breeders who raise the puppies this way!

the other thing that drives me nuts is people who contact me for a puppy and then decide that my pups are either to expensive or they don't want to wait and go and get their puppy someplace else and then they call me for advice and help....

Well if you wanted me for your breeder you should have waited for one of my pups.

__________________ Shalva and the Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhound

the other thing that drives me nuts is people who contact me for a puppy and then decide that my pups are either to expensive or they don't want to wait and go and get their puppy someplace else and then they call me for advice and help....

Well if you wanted me for your breeder you should have waited for one of my pups.

Yep, I can relate. Woman down the block wanted a pup from Keeper. When I called to tell all the families that the pups were 5 weeks old and they could come for a visit I could not get in touch with this lady. I left several messages. About a week and a half later she calls and tells me they got a pup from the pet store at the mall "on sale for a lot less than I wanted for my pups" but was having trouble with it and wanted MY help. I told her to contact the pup's breeder and ask them for help. She said she did not know who the breeder was. I told her I guess tht was why the pup was "on sale". She has not spoken to me since that day. the BEST part of this story a few days later another woman contacted me asking if I still had any available and would I consider them. Well it turned out to be as good a home as one could ever hope for AND they live directly across the street from me. All things do happen for a reason I believe. oh and the pup down the block was gone within a month. Thank you lord!!!

And a final peeve...people who get a dog from a breeder and come here to get advice or to complain and have not even gotten in touch with the breeder. I am always accessible via email...between my iPad and iPhone, I am easy to get in touch with... Facebook, not so much...

And this last time around, I was contacted by a couple older than myself, referred by the stud dog owner. They had bred Goldens years ago, and had gotten their last two from a well known and reputable breeder. They loved the pup I picked out for them and as the husband was holding her, surveying the whelping box and could see how the pups were raised, he said, "Thank you for raising your pups this way."

Oops I should've added - I check the forum first for generic puppy/golden retriever information and advice. All questions specific to my puppy (and some generic ones) are of course reserved for the breeder

The worst first question out of anyone's mouth is "how much do you get for your dogs."

I also don't want to feel like I have to compete with the other breeders on your list...again am I THE breeder, is it THE litter? ...

oops im guilty of this. i am planning on getting a golden in the next year or so. i did however tell the breeder the price is not a deciding factor, i just need to know what to plan for. i was upfront with her and told her it would be some time before i could get a pup and i was just trying to do my homework on some local breeders and that i didnt want to bug her with a bunch of questions so far out but i would have MANY more questions when i was closer to being ready. luckily the breeder i contacted was very helpful not only did she tell me what her pups go for but also emailed me two articles about what to ask to ensure they are a good breeder and they do all the neccesary screenings. i have a feeling im going to go with this breeder. i just got a good feeling about her. plus she was recommended by the kansas city golden retriever club. they said she was a very careful screener of potential buyers.